Mystic - Sommelier

Sommelier at Bar Sofia with Freehand Hospitality

About Freehand HospitalityRooted in chef-led creativity, our team is passionate about bringing people together with bold flavours, thoughtful ingredients, and warm, welcoming service. We celebrate diverse culinary styles—from upscale Maritime dining to classic French fare—paired with genuine hospitality that leaves a lasting impression. Every dish tells a story, and every experience celebrates connection, community, and a true sense of place in Halifax.

About Mystic

Now open on the Halifax waterfront in the new Queen’s Marque district, Mystic explores the natural landscape of Canada with a focus on our Maritime provinces. Here, Chef Malcolm Campbell, who developed a passion for haute cuisine and refined techniques in Michelin-starred settings, and his team are passionate about showcasing the region’s most exceptional fish, flora and fauna curating an authentic expression of time and place.

Exuding professional grace, expertise and warmth at every opportunity, our team will work together to forge an honest connection between the kitchen and the table. Taking an authentic and elevated approach to hospitality, Front of House staff intuitively adapt to the unique needs of each guest and ensure everybody leaves feeling that their experience was well worth the journey.

Job Description
Mystic is looking for a Sommelier who will oversee Mystic’s wine-related activities. Their expertise helps enhance the dining experience by recommending wine pairings, maintaining wine inventories, and providing knowledge about various wines to both staff and guests. Their role requires interaction with both the kitchen team and the front-of-house staff to ensure the wine and food pairing experience is seamless.

What you will be doing as a Sommelier:

• Curate a diverse and high-quality wine list based on the menu;
• Suggest and recommend wine pairings to guests based on their preferences and the dishes they order;
• Stay current on wine trends and new releases;
• Educate restaurant staff about the wine list, serving techniques, and tasting notes;
• Provide training on wine tasting, presentation, and customer service for new staff members;
• Manage the storage and proper aging of wines, ensuring optimal conditions for preservation;
• Regularly check the inventory and reorder wines as needed, maintaining a balance of popular and specialty wines;
• Interact with customers to understand their wine preferences and recommend wines based on taste profiles and meal choices;
• Serve wine to guests, ensuring the correct temperature and proper presentation;
• Handle wine service protocols, including opening bottles and pouring wine properly;
• Taste and evaluate wines regularly to maintain a thorough understanding of available selections and to identify any changes in quality;
• Assess wines for potential purchases and contribute to purchasing decisions;
• Plan and host wine tasting events or wine dinners to engage customers;
• Collaborate with marketing teams to promote wine offerings, special events, or seasonal selections;
• Keep records of wine sales and inventory to help with budget management;
• Provide detailed reports on wine consumption trends, customer preferences, and stock levels;

• Such other related duties and responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

The person we are looking for has:

• Extensive knowledge of wines, wine regions, production methods, and grape varieties;
• Excellent palate and ability to assess wine quality;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for customer interactions and staff training;
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment;
• Formal sommelier certification (e.g., Court of Master Sommeliers, Wine & Spirit Education Trust) may be required or highly preferred;

• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills;
• High attention to detail and strong situational awareness;
• Proven ability to remain calm, confident, and decisive under pressure;

• Excellent observation skills & high attention to detail, offering a helping hand to all guests whenever needed, before they even need to ask.

Why join us and what's in it for you?

• Gratuities
• Comprehensive extended Health & Dental benefits
• Integrated learning environment with room to grow
• Access to our gym and fitness facility
• 50% reimbursement of monthly transit pass
• Company RRSP contributions
• Employee Assistance Program
• Eligible for company referral bonus program
• Working along side a collaborative team of likeminded individuals

A member of The Armour Group, Freehand Hospitality is an equal opportunity employer. We value our employees and their well-being. If you would like to join an organization with which you can have a work-life balance, career growth, long term job stability, and an opportunity to positively contribute to the community, this position may be for you!

Qualified applicants are invited to apply through the job link or submit their resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Please note that, while we thank all applicants for applying, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.